Clive Fyvie (1908 - 1989) "My Father"

He was his own person! He was painstakingly thorough and somewhat of a perfectionist. He was very good at what he did and became an excellent farmer. He was, as his father, progressive and visionary in his farming methods, very hard working and built up quite an empire in his lifetime. He started out with very little, and worked as a mechanic in a garage in Estcourt. He walked 10 miles from the farm to work and back every day. This may have instilled his liking for motorcars, which were always his pride and joy! He owned a Buick at one stage. He was very good with his hands so he must have learned his trade well. (I often thought that had he had the opportunity, he would have made a good surgeon with his intellect and nimble fingers - he could fix anything! He used to graft plants very successfully.) He then became a farm manager, to my grandmother Geraldene Leslie, who live in the Free State. It was there that he met my very beautiful mother, Diana Leslie, fell in love with her and married her. He did so well at farming that he soon managed to lease and then buy his own farms, starting from very humble beginnings. He built a beautiful stone house on the farm "Deveron" where he raised his three children Gavin, Julian and Fiona. After many years of farming he retired to Howick on the land that his mother Isabel had bequeathed to him. His grandson David, inherited "Fyvie" from Huntly Duff Fyvie which was a wonderful honour.

Clive's hobby and love was his garden. He created a wonderful garden at "Deveron" with the help of his wife Diana who was also a dedicated gardener. When he later retired to Howick he again built a beautiful home and created a beautiful garden.

His advice and help to other members of the family during his lifetime should not be overlooked.

When he was younger and when time permitted he enjoyed a game of polo. He was always of sober habits and a stable member of the family and community. He was quite shy of nature but had a twinkle in his eye!

(Fiona Fowler)